Storms Spawn Tornadoes Across Northern Mower County

No damage reported despite multiple tornado sightings and hail near Grand Meadow

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:04pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of grey, blue, and green, with a massive, swirling cloud formation dominating the sky and casting an ominous shadow over the small town and farmland below. The dramatic lighting and deep perspective convey the overwhelming scale and power of the approaching storm.A looming storm system unleashes its power over a rural Minnesota community, underscoring the unpredictable and awe-inspiring nature of extreme weather.Austin Today

Severe storms that moved through northern Mower County, Minnesota on Friday afternoon produced multiple radar-indicated and visually confirmed tornadoes, as well as hail near the town of Grand Meadow. Tornado warnings were issued for the Austin and LeRoy areas, though no major damage has been reported so far.

Why it matters

Tornado activity in this region of Minnesota is relatively uncommon, so any confirmed sightings are noteworthy. While no injuries or property damage have been reported, the storms highlight the unpredictable nature of severe weather and the importance of having robust emergency alert systems in place to keep residents safe.

The details

The storms began moving through the area around 1 PM on Friday, prompting tornado warnings for parts of northern Mower County. Radar detected a tornado north of Austin and west of Lansing, which was later confirmed by spotters near the town of Dexter as the storm system tracked to the northeast. In addition to the tornado activity, the storms also produced marble-sized hail near Grand Meadow.

  • The storms began moving through the area around 1 PM on Friday, April 17, 2026.
  • Tornado warnings were issued for parts of northern Mower County shortly after 1 PM.

The players

Mower County

A county located in southern Minnesota, where the severe storms and tornado activity occurred on Friday.

Austin

A city in Mower County where tornado sirens were activated due to the radar-indicated tornado.

Dexter

A town in Mower County where a tornado was visually confirmed by spotters as the storm system moved through the area.

Grand Meadow

A town in Mower County that experienced marble-sized hail as a result of the severe storms.

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The takeaway

While no major damage has been reported, the tornado activity in northern Mower County serves as a reminder of the importance of being prepared for severe weather events, even in areas where they are relatively uncommon. The quick action of local authorities in issuing warnings likely helped prevent any potential injuries or property damage.